Stefan Frei

HOW ACQUIRED: Acquired from Toronto FC via trade on December 10, 2013 in exchange for a 2015 conditional 1st round SuperDraft pick.

PRONUNCIATION: STEF-‐in FRY

When Seattle traded for Stefan Frei in 2013, he’d played a grand total of 90 minutes over the previous two seasons shortened by injuries and fierce competition. All he did in Seattle was become one of the league’s best shot-stoppers and an almost immediate leader on a veteran back line. Frei’s feline instincts, calm locker room demeanor and well-rounded skill base make him one of the most balanced and talented keepers MLS has yet produced.

He is arguably the author of the greatest save in MLS history, stopping a Jozy Altidore header in extra time of MLS Cup 2016 with a full-stretch parry. "The Save" was one of seven saves on the night by Frei who also made a stop in the decisive penalty-kick shootout on his way to earning MLS Cup MVP honors.

INTERNATIONAL: Frei has not appeared for the Swiss national team but did spent time in their youth national system with the Under-15s before moving to the US as a youngster. He's in the process of obtaining his US citizenship and earned a January camp call-up in 2017 before an injury forced him to withdraw.

COLLEGE: Frei landed on MLS radars after a wildly successful career at Cal. He’s still tied for fourth all-time in career shutouts for the school, and his goals-against average (0.68) and save percentage (0.829) were both tops in the Pac-12 during his All-American senior year in 2008.